Helping you make a memorable marriage proposal

Valentine’s Day is one of the most romantic days of the year. It’s also one of the most popular for asking someone to marry you. As with all marriage proposals location is everything. This infographic created by The Wedding Band Shop highlights some amazing locations from around the world to propose marriage. Our favourite one of course has to be The Cliffs of Moher!

December is the most popular time of the year to get engaged, thanks to festive decorations, champagne and lots of gatherings with family and friends. Start planning your special day at the Holiday World Show Dublin, taking place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th January 2018 in the RDS Simmonscourt, and get the inside track on where to go for your wedding abroad or honeymoon.Whether you want to escape to a romantic hideaway or bring all your family and friends for a fun celebration, getting married abroad has never been easier. Here are the top wedding destinations exhibiting at the show:

Portugal

Portugal is best known for its long sandy beaches, good quality food at excellent prices and lovely welcoming people – not to mention glorious sunny weather. Add to this a variety of accommodation to suit all budgets and low cost flights, it’s no wonder that Portugal is one of the most popular wedding destinations for Irish couples.

2. Italy

Head to the land of Romeo and Juliet, fabulous food and wine, and romance for an unforgettable wedding. With its beautiful villages and towns steeped in history, scenic vineyards and villas, and breathtaking cathedrals and churches, Italy offers a bounty of lovely wedding locations.

3. Spain

Over 1.8 million Irish will visit Spain in 2017, demonstrating the Irish “love affair” with this beautiful country. The country’s travel experts will be on hand at the Holiday World Show to help you plan your wedding, whether it’s a city wedding in Barcelona, a countryside celebration in the beautiful Basque Country or a laid-back beach ceremony.

Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain

4. Cyprus

As the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, Cyprus has legendary connections to romance. This island nation in the Mediterranean also offers a range of unique wedding venues, ideal weather, beautiful beaches, a wide range of accommodation options and outdoor activities to enjoy when the celebrations are over.

5. The Caribbean

Dreaming of an idyllic beach wedding? Then the Caribbean is the destination for you! With powder white sands, turquoise seas, a backdrop of blue skies and swaying coconut palms, the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados will quite simply take your breath away. If this vision is the epitome of romance, then the Caribbean is the location for you.

6. Thailand

From the ornate palaces to the rich coral reefs and other wildlife, a wedding in Thailand offers guests an opportunity to visit this exotic country. Take a trip to Northwestern Thailand for wildlife and Bangkok for a cosmopolitan experience, before heading south to the beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters and luxe resorts of the island wedding destinations of Phuket and Koh Samui.

7. Cuba

Bleached by the sun and yet full of colour, Cuba is a perfect wedding destination for couples seeking something alternative. Choose from all-inclusive packages, or have something completely bespoke. Make sure to stop by Havana when there so you can rumba in the street, drink a toast to Hemingway, have a cigar and tour the city in a classic 50s car.

8. USA

The 2018 Visit USA Pavilion at the Holiday World Show is the largest ever with over 40 exhibitors offering Irish holidaymakers the chance to meet travel professionals from right across the US. Wedding destinations on offer include the vineyards of Napa Valley, a chapel wedding in Las Vegas or a trendy city celebration in New York.

9. South Africa

South Africa’s stunning landscapes, wildlife preserves, pristine beaches and rolling vineyards have made it an ideal exotic destination wedding. It is the perfect location for adventurous couples who wish to throw a unique wedding for guests willing to make the trek.

10. Mexico

It’s tropical climate, amazing beaches and a colourful culture make Mexico one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for Irish couples but why not consider having your wedding there too? The country’s beautiful beaches, palm trees and blue skies make a breathtaking backdrop for your “I dos” while the all inclusive packages on offer make for easy budgeting and planning.

Sunway – the REAL Package Holiday Company will have Honeymoon Specialists present at the Holiday Word Show 2018 to discuss popular destinations on offer. Tanya Airey, Managing Director at Sunway, commented: “We are looking forward to showcasing our fabulous range of romantic destinations at the 2018 Holiday World Show. At Sunway we can look after all aspects of your wedding and honeymoon abroad from booking flights and accommodation for the whole wedding party and tailor making that once in a lifetime honeymoon experience for you, to putting you in contact with experienced wedding planners on the ground to help plan your special day. Whether it’s a beachside, cruise, tropical or other wedding or honeymoon location that you desire… Sunway have the perfect option for you!”

Maureen Ledwith, Organiser of the Holiday World Show, added, “If you’re preparing for your big day, come and meet the experts at the Holiday World Show to organise your perfect wedding abroad or honeymoon. With over 55 countries represented, almost 1,000 travel professionals will be on hand to give advice and detailed, expert information on how to make the most of a honeymoon or wedding abroad and how to get the best value!”

Christmas is a wonderful time of year to propose marriage. With all the decorations, Christmas lights and the fact that a lot of family and friends will be home to share in the joy of your engagement, it is an ideal time to pop the question and ask “Will you marry me?”

I’ve created an anagram to help you create a winning marriage proposal. If you can tick off most of the following, you are on to a winning proposal!

And the anagram couldn’t be easier to remember at this time of year!

C.h.r.i.s.t.m.a.s.

C – Cheerful. Christmas is a time of good cheer. Make sure your proposal is cheerful.

Argos jewellery experts are predicting a bumper engagement period this festive season, following analysis of 2016 sales data which revealed a huge 50 per cent rise in ring sales on Christmas Eve.

When it comes to ring specifics, the retailer has stocked up on three-stone rings after ‘Meghan Markle Mania’ saw a 25 per cent rise in sales of the classic trilogy evergreen design after the Royal engagement was announced in November.

However, the most popular type of engagement ring is still the classic diamond solitaire, with 51 per cent sold versus other engagement styles, with a higher demand for 9ct white gold.

And perhaps Shirley Bassey and Kanye West were wrong and diamonds aren’t forever…as Argos jewellery experts have also reported a rise in coloured-stone rings being bought as engagement rings, particularly with millennial customers who are looking for something a bit quirkier than the standard solitaire.

Jo Rowland, Jewellery Buying Manager at Argos, said: “Research shows time and again that the magical festive period is the most popular time for proposals, and our sales data points to the same conclusion. In fact, we sell more engagement rings on Christmas Eve than we do for Valentine’s Day.

“The last-minute sales phenomenon does beg the question, are those buying rings on Christmas Eve planning in advance but buying last minute or are they deciding as late as Christmas Eve to propose the next day? Either way we’ll be ready for them!”

Last minute shoppers need not fear as they can purchase in-store with Argos right up until closing time on Christmas Eve. Customers should check specific local stores for opening times and stock availability.

December is the most popular time of the year to get engaged, thanks to festive decorations, champagne and lots of gatherings with family and friends. Start planning your special day at the Holiday World Show Dublin, taking place from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th January 2017 in the RDS Simmonscourt, and get the inside track on where to go and how to pay less for your honeymoon or wedding abroad.

Planning and booking your honeymoon can prove daunting, even for the most experienced of travellers. The honeymoon is a much-needed respite after months of wedding planning and for many couples, it’s also the trip of a lifetime! So, whilst you’re preparing for your big day, rely on the experts at the Holiday World Show to organise a holiday second to none. The popular honeymoon destinations of Mexico and Jamaica will be present, as well as a host of top cruise companies! Or why not plan a truly romantic wedding abroad in sunny Spain, on a beautiful beach in the Caribbean or up close with Africa’s wildlife.

A number of luxury cruise companies and specialist travel agents will be exhibiting at the show, offering visitors expert travel advice and exclusive holiday experiences. Choose from opulent cruises, ultimate adventure breaks and all-inclusive bucket list trips. Stay in the most iconic hotels in India with Bespoke India Travel, book an all inclusive cruise of the Arabian Gulf with Celebrity Cruises or experience an escorted tour of New England’s Spectacular Fall Foliage with American Holidays.

The Holiday World Show 2017 will also host the free Eoghan Corry Travel Summit in association with Dublin Airport facilitated by renowned travel journalist Eoghan Corry where leading industry experts will share their expertise and answer visitors’ questions on topics such as The Americas, Cruises, Ski and Snow Holidays, Solo Holidays and Exotic Destinations, as well as Home Holidays.

With over 50 countries represented, almost 1,000 travel and tourism professionals will be ready to give advice and detailed, expert information on how to make the most of a honeymoon or wedding abroad and how to get the best value. Instead of trawling through endless confusing websites, the experts on hand at the show will be able to give one-to-one guidance and the information that visitors need to ensure a terrific and unforgettable honeymoon or wedding abroad that’s best suited to them. With numerous ‘show only’ deals available, this is the ideal opportunity to book your honeymoon and see the world without breaking the bank.

In the lead up to Valentine’s Day we have a nice little infographic which provides some conversation pieces that you can bring up during a romantic Valentine’s meal.

Did you know…
• The remains of St. Valentine are enshrined in the Carmelite Church, Whitefriar Street in Dublin, Ireland.
• One of the older romantic Irish traditions was to exchange Claddagh rings as a symbol of love, loyalty and friendship.
• In modern Ireland today a little under 1 in 3 people say they are looking for marriage to come out of their next relationship.

All you need to know about ‘Wedding Engagements in Ireland’ especially in the lead up to World Marriage Day on February 14th which is an ideal day to celebrate marriage, or to propose. Coincidentally, it is also Valentine’s Day!

For instance:-
· Cork men spend the most on engagement rings spending €3,500 on average.
· €50 is the average spend on an engagement gift.
· The average engagement for an Irish couple is now between 13 and 18 months.

Love it or hate it, it’s almost Valentine’s day and according to a new survey conducted by leading online takeaway ordering service JUST EAT, there are plenty of things that irritate us on this romantic occasion. According to the survey, one of the worst things about going out for a date on Valentine’s day is getting stuck beside a “Couple from Hell” with 30% citing couples who indulge in too much PDA (Public Displays of Affection) as their worst nightmare and 28% stating that those couples, that feed each other across the table as the worst offenders. In addition to this, respondents cited that their date being rude to waiting staff (33%) or talking on their mobile phone for the duration of their date (29.5%) as two of their worst nightmare Valentine’s dates. While Donald Trump 26.5%, Enda Kenny 24% and Katie Hopkins 21% topped the poll as those that Irish people would least like to go on a date with this Valentine’s Day.

When it came to the couple most people would like to share a takeaway with on a Valentine’s double date, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi topped the poll at 38.5%, followed by our very own favourite Irish couple Brian O’Driscoll and Amy Huberman at 26%. According to the survey, one of the best things about being single on Valentine’s night is being able to choose your own takeaway without having to consult anyone else at 42.5%. Singletons also chose Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence as their dream celebrity date this Valentine’s Day.

Marketing Director for JUST EAT Edel Kinane said: “Valentine’s is one of the most popular nights of the year for staying in and ordering a takeaway on JUST EAT. Whether you’re young free and single or in a relationship, nobody wants to risk going to a restaurant on Valentine’s night and finding themselves stuck beside a ‘couple from hell’, trying to show the world how in love they are! Our survey shows that people would much rather enjoy their favourite takeaway dish in the comfort of their own home on Valentine’s night, whether with friends or with their significant other.”

Some of the other findings from the survey highlighted that:

45% considered Sushi as one of the worst takeaway cuisines to order in on a Valentine’s date night in.

42% voted Chinese as the best takeaway cuisine to order in on Valentine’s date night in.

TWO Cork businesses are joining forces to launch Ireland’s first everDIY Wedding Roadshow.

Oh Me, Oh My DIY! and WeddingDates.ie will tour the country bringing their DIY workshops to brides at a series of top secret locations during 2016.

Full of fun and creativity, each day-long event will be jam-packed with demos on how to put your own stamp on your wedding. Plus tips on keeping that all-important budget down.

From floristry to bespoke invites, beauty tips to wedding styling – this is a bride-to-be’s dream day!

Each intimate workshop will be styled to a unique theme, with step-by-step instructions on how to recreate the look for your own big day.

A delicious lunch, sweet treats and refreshments will be provided – and a celebratory cocktail will toast your craftiness at the end of the day. Each attendee will leave laden down with goodies and their completed DIY projects.

Cathy O’Donoghue said “Since the recession a few years ago, I think people began getting a bit more creative when it came to home decor, weddings and parties. It’s really rewarding and boosts the old self-esteem to see your ideas take shape!”
“Brides are going to love the workshops for so many reasons! Besides going home with their own DIY projects from the day, they will have a notebook full of tips, tricks, contacts and new ideas.”

The first DIY Wedding Workshop takes place on Sunday 21st February from 11-5pm at the beautiful Flemings Restaurant in Cork City. Tickets priced €140 each. Limited capacity.

Staying in is sexier than going out on Valentine’s Day. That’s according to new research* by Durex Ireland. The survey finds that although two thirds of Irish couples plan to mark 14thFebruary in some way, over half (47%) would rather stay in and watch a film with their partner.

While a ‘movie night’ is the desire of over half of the couples surveyed, 19% of those in a relationship would like to go out for the standard romantic dinner on Valentine’s and a further 18% would like a night away in a hotel.

The national poll, which surveyed 1,000 Irish adults, was carried out by Durex Ireland to launch its new ‘Cut the Clichés’ campaign promoting the brand’s ‘RealFeel’ range of condoms and lubricants. The ‘RealFeel’ range delivers natural skin-on-skin feeling putting real feeling back into sex. As part of this campaign, Durex Ireland is calling on couples across Ireland to do away with tired old romantic clichés this Valentine’s Day and reignite the intimacy with their partner.

According to the Durex Ireland survey, a loved-up 24% of couples are looking forward to Valentine’s Day and a further 26% of those would hate it if the day was not marked in some way. However, almost a third of those in a relationship (32%) say that the most romantic day of the year is not significant and a cynical 17% think it’s overly commercial.

When it comes to Valentine’s gifts, typically cliché presents are a big no-no among both sexes. The survey found the worst gifts to receive as voted by men and women are:

Male Female

A teddy bear (29%) 1. A teddy bear (32%)

Flowers (27%) 2. Sexy underwear (29%)

Sexy underwear (19%) 3. Chocolates (12%)

Specifically, an ‘I Love You’ teddy bear was named the worst Valentine’s cliché overall with 42% of Irish people saying it gave them the ‘ick factor’. Over a quarter (28%) say the traditional dozen red roses is overly clichéd and is a turn off. Popping the question also rates high on the schmaltz radar with 9 out of 10 saying that getting engaged or married on the 14th February is the ultimate cliché.

The Durex survey also finds that when it comes to PDA’s, we’re tolerant to a point with 53% saying they think they are lovely. However, a prudish third (32%) say a PDA is fine as long as it’s just holding hands but kissing in public is not ok.

To celebrate this new campaign, Durex Ireland has enlisted the help of sexologist Emily Power Smith to help couples keep from simply going through the motions this Valentine’s Day and to put some real feeling back into their sex lives.

Commenting on the research Irish sexologist Emily Power Smith says:

“When it comes to gifts or ways to spend Valentine’s Day the clichés exist because they were at one point the most popular way to express love. “I love you” teddy bears were once novel and replaced flowers and chocolates as the currency of love. Now they are deemed passé and are often replaced with staying in and watching a movie. Sure, it’s free, no effort is required and watching a good movie will quash any chance of a meaningful conversation for those of us who might be exhausted, broke or not wanting to take any romantic risks. But is that really any better when real connection is required?

Judging by the Durex Ireland research we are in need of a shake-up and a rethink about how we approach romance and our relationships. There is nothing wrong with clichés if they are meaningful to you. But if you’re trying to repair an intimacy chasm by using the cliché as a Band-Aid, it’s time to consider your options for creating a deeper, more authentic connection (which inevitably leads to better sex!). This is what the Durex Ireland campaign is all about. So on the 14th February instead of going through the same tired old clichés, why not try something new with your partner.”

Emily Power Smith’s top tips on how to reignite intimacy in your relationship this Valentine’s Day

The foundation of good sex is feeling connected. This can happen differently for different people. Some people (often female) need to feel a non-sexual connection before they can feel sexual, and others (usually male) find that they feel connected as a result of being sexual. Rather than blaming each other if you need different things to feel connected, start a conversation where you can share your personal views and needs around connection and try to learn about each other. This is best done outside the bedroom over a cuppa or glass of wine.

Get yourself a really nice lubricant. It’s a good rule to always have lube by the bed for self-loving, stimulating your partner, and for penetration as it provides a sexy slide. If you worry about hurting the penis when giving a hand-job, introduce lube. Suddenly you have the freedom to try different strokes, pressure and speeds. It has been known to turn novices into sexperts! However it’s important to remember that lube is not a replacement for a proper warm-up for those about to be penetrated!

Learn to communicate about your sexual needs/desires/wants. If this seems difficult start practicing alone by describing what you’re doing while self-loving to get used to hearing the words coming out of your mouth before trying with a partner. Talking about what you like can be easier when outside the bedroom. Give your partner a head’s up before the conversation so they know what’s coming and remember to keep it light and focussed on what you’d like rather than what they do wrong

If penetrative sex has always been your main course, it’s time to re-assess your menu. Penetrative sex will not always be possible for a variety of reasons such intimate discomfort (often remedied by a good lubricant). If that’s what you rely on for satisfaction it can leave you bereft, frustrated and angry if it isn’t possible. Think of your sexual menu more as a table of Tapas with penetration being one of many dishes. It may be your favourite, but if it’s off the menu there’s loads more you can try. It gives you choice and freedom to express your sexuality no matter what happens.

Get your kit off! Once you’re in bed and warmed up get naked. Choose skin-on-skin over snugly PJs and see what happens. If you can’t fall asleep in an embrace then give yourselves a good ten minutes naked before rolling away from each other. But give yourselves that time every night for two weeks. Being naked together in an embrace may be all you have energy for so don’t expect fireworks every time. Just enjoy the touch, smell and warmth of your partner and relax into a loving state.

The Durex RealFeel range is available nationwide and has a RRSP of RealFeel 6’s €12.99, RealFeel 12s €18.99 and RealFeel Lube 50ml €12.49. For more information on great sex, visit: